Rukmini Lakshmipathi
Rukmini Laxmipathi was an Indian independence activist and politician belonging to the Indian National Congress. She was the first woman to be elected to the Madras Legislature and the first to serve as a minister in the Madras Presidency.
Biography
Early life, education, and marriage
Rukmini was born on 6 December 1892 into an agriculturist family from Madras. Her grandfather was the landlord Raja T. Ramrao.She obtained her B.A from the Women's Christian College, Madras and married Dr. Achanta Lakshmipathi.
Socio-political career
She was secretary of the Madras branch of the Bharat Stree Mahamandal. In 1923, she joined the Congress. In 1926, she attended the International Women's Suffrage Alliance Congress at Paris as the Indian representative.For her participation in the Salt Satyagraha in Vedaranyam she was jailed for a year, becoming the first female prisoner in the Salt Satyagraha movement.
She contested and won a by election to the Madras Legislative Council in 1934.
She was elected to the Madras Presidency Legislative Assembly in the 1937 elections. On 15 July 1937 she was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the assembly. During 1 May 1946 – 23 March 1947, she was the Minister for Public Health of the Province in the T. Prakasam cabinet. She was the first woman minister of the Province.
Death
She died on 6 August 1951.Legacy
Marshall's road in Egmore, Chennai has been renamed after her.In her memory, a postage stamp of India was issued in 1997.